File card retrieval device



SePt- 20, 1966 L.. A. sMn'zER FILE CARD RETRIEVAL DEVICE 5 Sheets-ShawIl Filed Oct. 17, 1962 Sept 20, 1966 L. A. SMITZER 3,273,566

FILE CARD RETRIEVAL DEVICE Filed Oct. 17, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept 20,1966 L.. A. sMnTzER FILE CARD RETRIEVAL DEVICE 5 Sheets-Shea?l 3 Filed00T.. 17, 1962 Sept. 20, 1966 n.. A. sMm'zER FILE CARD RETRIEVAL DEVICE5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed 001:. 17, 1962 j! Twan/vos ffy/vamos @f1/m 06025raf/v5 U/v/TJ Sep- 20, R96 a.. A. sMxTzl-:Fe 3,273,566

FILE CARD RETRIEVAL DEVICE Filed OGC. 17, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 UnitedStates Patent Otiice 3,273,566 Patented Sept. 20, 1966 3,273,566 PELECARD RETRIEVAL DEVlCE Louis A. Sanitaer, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Bella Howell Company, Chicago, lill., a corporation of illinois Filed Oct.17, 1962, Ser. No. 231,215 9 Claims. (Cl. 129-16.1)

This invention relates to improvements in filing systems utilizing codedcards, and more particularly concerns a novel device for retrievingselected cards from a haphazardly filed collection of individually codedcards maintained in an orderly pack in an appropriate receptacle.

Many types of information are desirably recorded on cards of anypreferred uniform size `which are adapted to ybe filed away in a draweror similar receptacle. Such cards may have the material entered thereonin some form of writing or by a reproduction method suitable to recordthe desired information. Cards are also now utilized for filingmicrofilmed records of various kinds, with one card often containing aseries of ymicrofilm frames of related subject matter. All such cardswhether for record or reference purposes must be readily selectable andretrievable from an accumulation of the cards in a file. The filingsystem should be as foolproof as possible to avoid misfiling and thus,in effect, loss of any cards through inability to locate them whendesired.

Various mechanical card finding arrangements have heretofore beenproposed including pins, bars, levers, and even some that employ barmagnets or electro-magnets for locating and retrieving desired cardsaccording to some predetermined identifying or coding system.

Prior arrangements have been decient in a number of respects, amongwhich may be mentioned undue complexity, cumbersomeness, delicateapparatus components, limited range of usefulness, and the like, whichhave limited or discouraged their `adoption to any significant extent.

An important object of the present invention is to overcome theenumerated and other shortcomings of the prior art and to provide arelatively simple, rugged, eiiicient coded card retrieval apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved cardretrieval apparatus wherein a relatively small, compact retrieval unitis operable to retrieve selected cards from a large number of cards in aling receptacle -by `movement of the retrieval unit and the receptaclerelatively.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved cardretrieval apparatus in which a unit carrying a magnetic card withdrawingelement opera-tes, in the relative longitudinal movement of the magneticelement and a pack of magnetically responsive cards disposed in aretaining device, to effect in association with selecting means sortingand withdrawal of one or more selected cards from the pack.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel cardretrieval apparatus employing `a rotary .magnet and means on a cardsupporting member for effecting lrotary card withdrawing action of themagnet during relative movement of the magnet `and the member.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a card retrievalapparatus in which a novel card selecting and withdrawing unit and `acard receptacle are relatively movable during a card retrieval operationeither b v movement of the unit relative to the receptacle or bymovement of the receptacle relative to the unit.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a new and improvedmagnetic card retrieval device including a novel arrangement of rotaryretrieval magnet and selector bars.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a new `and improvedcard retrieval apparatus employing a novel combination card selectingand withdrawal mechanism.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a new and improvedmanually operable card retrieval apparatus.

Other objects, features `and advantages of the present invention will bereadily apparent from the following de tailed description of a preferredembodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,in which:

FIGURE l is a fragmentary side elevational View of apparatus embodyingfeatures of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a similar side elevational view of the apparatus showingcertain of the parts in a different operative relationship;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmental enlarged top plan View of the apparatus;

FIGURE 4- is a vertical sectional elevational view taken substantiallyon the line IV-IV of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a vertical sectional elevational detail view takensubstantially on the line V-V of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken in substantiallythe same plane as FIGURE 4 but showing the retrieval unit in operation;and

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary face elevational view of a representative filecard with which the present apparatus is especially adapted to be used.

Referring to FIGURES l and 2, a card sorting or retrieval unit 10 isconstructed and arranged to withdraw selected cards 1l supported in ahorizontal stack or pack in a receptacle structure 12 desirably in thefor-m of a drawer longitudinally reciprocably carried by supportingstructure 13 which may be of any suitable character such las a filingcabinet, filing table or other office furniture adapted for the purpose.The construction and relationship of the cooperative componentassemblies is such that retrieval of any selected card is accomplishedby relative movement between the retrieval unit 10 and the receptacle12. In the illustrated example the retrieval unit 10 may `be `heldstationary relative to the supporting structure 13 and the receptacle 12moved longitudinally relative to the retrieval unit 1d, as shown inFIGURE 1. Alternatively, the retrieval unit 10 may be movedlongitudinally along the receptacle 12 incident to its hunting, sorting,retrieving function, as indicated in FIGURE 2.

Although the le cards 11 have been depicted as substantially Wider thanin length (FIG. 7), they may be of any preferred dimensions to serve adesired purpose. Further, the cards 11 may be made from any suitableselfsustaining material and may be solid as shown or may be providedwith apertures, windows and the like as, for example, where they mountfilmed records such as on microfilm to be scanned or viewed in amicrofilm viewer. The body of each card may comprise cardboard,synthetic sheet plastic, non-magnetic metal sheet, and the like.

To enable the cards 11 to be magnetically sorted, they are providedalong one margin with magnetic tab means 14 conveniently in the form ofa doubled over strip of magnetic or magnetically attractive thin sheetmetal7 and preferably a ferromagnetic material. The magnetic strip 14provides a tab extending preferably along the entire normally upper edgeof the card 11, with the connecting web between the two legs of thestrip overlying the card edge, and providing a substantial reinforcementfor the upper margin of the card.

In addition, the magnetic tab 14 provides a hanger bar having endportions thereof in the form of projections or lugs 15 extending beyondthe opposite side edges of the card body. In a desirable form, thehanger lugs 15 are of equal width and project to equal lengths from theuppermost portions as integral extensions from the tab bar.

In the receptacle drawer assembly 12, the cards 11 are desirablysupported in alignment in the pack with their hanger lugs 15 restingupon spaced parallel longitudinally extending supporting rail means inthe form of bars 17 carried by vertical posts 18 suitably secured to abase plate 19 having respective longitudinal downturned supportingflanges 20 along its sides arranged to rest slidably upon a supportingpanel 21 of the supporting assembly 13. Respective Z-brackets 22attached to the panel 21 engage with the longitudinal margins of thebase panel 19, as shown (FIGS, l and 5) to guide the receptacle 12 as adrawer for reciprocable longitudinal movement along the base 21, ahandle 23 being provided on the front end portion of the receptacle baseplate 19 to facilitate manual protraction or retraction movement of thedrawer receptacle relative to the supporting assembly 13.

In a preferred arrangement, the le cards 11 are supported in a diagonalposition slanted in a front-to-rear direction, substantially as shown inFIGURES l, 2 and 4. About 30 inclination from the vertical issatisfactory, and for this purpose the vertical spacing between the topof the rail bars 17 and the top of the base plate 19 is correlated tothe length of the cards 11 so that when the hanger lugs 15 are restingon the tops of the rail bars 17, and the lower edges of the cards areresting on the base plate 19 substantially the preferred inclinationwill result. In addition, in order to maintain the cards 11 in areasonably compact pack, opposed pressure plates 24 and 25 are provided.In this instance the pressure plate 24 is mounted fixedly in the frontportion of the receptacle assembly 12 and inclines rearwardly, while thepressure plate 25 is in parallel relation thereto and is adjustablymounted at the rear of the pack of cards. Adjustment of the plate 25 maybe effected through the medium of a thumb screw 27 arranged to clamp arearwardly extending foot flange 28 on the pressure plate 25 against thebase plate 19 which is provided with a longitudinal adjustment slot 29accommodating the thumb screw (FIG. 6).

Magnetic means in the form of a magnetic roll 3() are carried by theretrieval unit 10 for withdrawing selected cards from the pack of cards11. To this end, the magnetic roll 30 is of a width to overlie a limitedcentral portion of the magnetic edge tab 14 with the perimeter of theroll in a plane close to but just slightly spaced from a plane acrossthe tops of the tabs 14, as best seen in FIG. 5. Support for the roll 30is provided by a rotatable shaft 31 to which the roll 30 is secured asby means of retaining nuts 32.

Rotary support for the magnetic roll shaft 31 is afforded bylongitudinally extending, spaced, parallel, coextensive, substantiallyidentical, vertically disposed frame structures 33, conveniently in theform of suitable plates or panels, of a carriage construction for theretrieval unit 10. These side frame members 33 also carry a set ofproperly longitudinally spaced antifriction supporting rollers 34 whichride upon the supporting rail bars 17 of the receptacle 12 framestructure. Through the proper elevational orientation of the magneticsorting or retrieval roll 30 and the carriage supporting rollers 34, inrespect to the coplanar track tops of the rail bars 17 and thesubstantially coplanar top edges of the card tab bars 14 as determinedwith substantial accuracy by the uniformly dimensioned hanger projectionlugs 15, a very etiicient cooperative disposition of the sorting nip ofthe retrieval roll 30 and the opposed magnetic tabs 14 of the cards 11is afforded in all relative longitudinal positions of the retrieval unit10 and the card receptacle 12.

Means are provided for effecting operational rotation of the retrievalroll 3i) incident to and correlated with relative longitudinal movementsof the retrieval unit 10 and the receptacle 12. For this purpose theretrieval roll shaft 31 has rotary drive means connected therewith,conveniently comprising for balanced torque relationship a pair ofidentical pinion gears 35 mounted corotatively adjacent to its oppositeends immediately inside the carriage frame plates 33 and meshing withrespective underlying racks 37 rigid with the rail bars 17 andpreferably coextensive therewith. While the racks may, if preferred, bemolded or machined in one piece with the rail bars 17, the racks 37 may,as shown, comprise separately formed bars attached in any suitable wayto the outer sides of the rail bars 17. On their outer sides, the racks37 conveniently serve as alignment guides for the carriage of theretrieval unit 10, the lower margins of the carriage side plates 33depending sufficiently to oppose the rack bar sides closely but infreely slidable relation for this purpose. Through this arrangement, byproper choice of gear ratio between the pinions 35 and the teeth of theracks 37 a desirable correlation of peripheral travel of the retrievalroll 30 and relative linear travel of the retrieval unit 10 and thereceptacle 12 is afforded and the rotary speed of the roll is directlyproportional to the linear speed. In addition, operationally accuratelongitudinal alignment of the retrieval unit and the recepta-cle aremaintained throughout relative longitudinal travel.

By virtue of the direct rack and pinion drive of the magnetic retrievalroll 30, as described, lifting of the selected cards 11 from the pack ofcards in the receptacle 12 is effected 'by adherence due to magneticattraction of the magnetic tabs 14 of the cards to the olf-running sideof the retrieval roll 311. Although either the front or rear off-runningside of the roll 3@ will function for this purpose, in the illustratedexample the front off-running side of the roll 30 has 'been assignedthis function, and means are provided to cooperate with the retrievalroll to receive the selected withdrawn cards. For this purpose, a pickoff conveyor system has been provided in association with the retrievalroll 30 including friction belt means 38 for diverting the selectedcards from the off-running side of the retrieval roll and friction lbeltmeans 39 correlated therewith and cooperating to complete the pick offand withdrawal of the selected cards from the card pack.

Desirably, the pick 0E conveyor belt means 3S comprise a pair of narrowfriction belts running in complementary narrow respective grooves 40provided in the perimeter of the magnetic roll 30l adjacent to itsopposite ends. By having the grooves 4t) of proper depth, the card edgeopposing surfaces of the spaced parallel conveyor belts 38 will bewithin the peripheral plane or outside diameter tof the roll 30 wherethe belts loop over and in running contact with the roll. Such runningcontact is maintained with the lower, card attracting nip area of theroll 30 by upwardly and forwardly projecting idler and tensioning meanscomprising a pair of respective idler pulleys 41 mounted on suitablestub shaft axle brackets 42 including respective upwardly and forwardlyinclined attach-ment arm bars 43 secured detacha'bly and, adjustably as4by means of respective screws 44 to a supporting frame member 45 in theform of a bar extending between and rigidly affixed to the side fra-meplate 33 as a spacer therefor (FIGS. 3 and 5). Respective guide grooves47 in the bar 45 accommodate the attached portions of the bracket arms43 and maintain such arms in substantially parallel alignment andagainst canting even though only the single screw 44 is utilized insecuring each arm to the supporting bar. Longitudinal belt-tensioningadjustment of the axle brackets 42 is afforded Iby the provision ofrespective adjustment slots 4S in the arms 43 through which the Shanksof the attachment screws 44 extend in the attached portions of thebracket arms 43.

As best visualized in FIGURES l, 2, 4 and 6, the orientation of the pickotT conveyor belts 38 relative to the retrieval roll 30 as maintained bythe 'belt idler and tensioning assembly is upwardly and forwardly insuch manner that the off-running run of each belt 3S is disposed at aproper upward and forward angle to remain in card tab engagementthroughout the substantially straight-out withdrawal of each card. In asatisfactory arrangement as disclosed, where the cards l1 .are tilted atabout 30 in the pack, the oit-running run of the belts 38 is tilted in aplane -about 30 divergently relative to the oblique planes of the cardsin the pack.

While the pick off conveyor belts 38 are associated with the retrievalroll 30 to engage central portions of the card tabs 14;, the friction-belts 39 are mounted, as best seen in FIGURES 3 and 5, in such manneras to engage with the lower edges of the end lugs of the tabs. This isaccomplished by having the narrow belts 39 trained over respective upperpulleys 49 and lower pulleys 50 mounted on suitable stub shafts or axlescarried by the side frame plates 33. As will be observed in FIGURES 4and 6, mounting of the pulleys 49 and Sti is such relative to thesupporting structure for the conveyor belts 38 that the tab lug engagingruns of the conveyor belts 39 are disposed in a plane which is in properspaced parallel relation to the tab engaging run of the belts 38 toafford adequate card lifting frictional engagement with the tab lugs 15while the central portion of a selected card being withdrawn is rmlyheld in the grip of the off-running runs of the belts 38.

For positive, nonslip card conveying action of the conveyor belts 39,they are driven to run with the conveyor belts .38. This is effected inunison at a common linear speed, or at a slight overrun speed ifpreferred, by equipping the lower pulleys 50 with respective pinions Siwhich mesh with and are driven by the magnetic roll driving pinion gears35. As a result, as the magnetic tab 14 of a selected card to bewithdrawn adheres magnetically to the retrieval nip of the magnetic roll3@ and is then moved upwardly on the off-running side of the rotatingroll substantially as shown in FIG. 6, the respective end lugs 15 arecarried into engagement with the lower end of the lugengaging run of theconveyor belts 39, whereupon the oit-running run of the conveyor belts3S thrust the magnetic tabs away from the magnetic roll 3U, thusstripping the tabs from the roll and causing the engaged tab 14 to beconveyed upwardly and in a tangential path away from the retrieval roll,thus progressively pulling the selected card 1li from the pack of cardsin a smooth, continuous motion initiated by the retrieval roll throughits magnetic attraction for the magnetic tab of the card.

Means are provided for receiving the selected cards 11 sorted from thepack of cards in the receptacle l2 and withdrawn by the magneticretrieval roll 30 and the pick ott and withdrawal conveyor system. Forthis purpose, the active conveying runs of the belts 39 .are of a lengthto maintain card withdrawal grip on the card lugs 15 until the selectedcards have been at least subst-antially fully withdrawn from the pack ofcards. Then the supporting end lugs 15 are transferred to respectiveforwardly extending carrier or hanger bars 52, mounted on attachmentstuds 53 carried by the inner sides of the front end portions of theframe lplates 33. At their inner ends the carrier bars 52 are disposedin receiving relation closely alongside the inner ends of the upperrespective idler rollers 49. Through this arrangement, as each of theselected cards reaches the upper end of the withdrawal runs of theconveyor belts 39, the end lugs 15 of the card are carried by the returnloops of the belts over the pulleys 49 onto the upper edges of thecarrier bars 52. Any possibility of return slippage of the cards isavoided by having the opposing runs of the conveyor belts 3S extendbeyond the active runs of the belts 39 and in generally overlyingrelation, thus assuring positive kick-out of any possibly resistant orlaggard card tab.

Means are provided on the carrier bars 52 to complete withdrawal of thelowerrnost margins of the cards. In this instance, upstanding respectivestop lugs 54 on the forward end portions of the bars 52 serve thispurpose by engagement with the end lugs 15 of the iirs't card withdrawn,succeeding cards backing up against the tirst card to the same effectuntil the supporting rack provided by the carrier bars `52 is loaded orthe lretrieved cards are removed.

Selection of the cards 1l according to ya code system is provided for bymeans forming part of the lretrieval unit i0. To this end, a set ofbarrier code bars 55 is provided desirably comprising elongatedself-sustaining thin hat strips, preferably of rnetal, although they maybe made `from iother suitable material such as synthetic plastic or thelike. These barrier bars are disposed in fronttorear spaced parallelcoezrtensive relation in vertioal planes and with their lower edges insubstantially horizontal plane with the lower card tab attracting nip ofthe retrieval roll 30. Thereby, such lower edges of the barrier barslare spaced above the upper edges of the `card tabs 114i insubstantially the same closely spaced relation as Ithe lower nip of theretrieval roll. The construction iand relationship of the barrier bars55 is such that they can be adjusted or set `to select only those tilecards ilill which respond to `a specific code arrangement `afforded bydesignated `upwardly opening code notches 57 formed as by 4cutting ornoltching out the magnetic tab strip 14, as best seen in FIGURES 5 and7.

lIn `the illustrated apparatus, a digital code arrangement is providedwherein the ymagnetic ta'b strip 14 each way from the central portionreserved for coaotion with the retrieval roll is adapted to be notchedout in any suitable notching or punching device to provide the notch ornotches `57 corresponding to a desired code designation. Although as fewor many coding areas as desired or practicable may be provided, FIGURE 7shows four such coding areas yrepresenting from 'left to rightthousands, hundreds, tens, 'and primary digits or unit-s. In each codingarea there may be ten digital sections adapted to be selectively punchedout to provide one of the coding notches 57 slightly 'wider forclearance toierance purposes than the thickness of one ofthe barriorbars Any permutation of code numbers Within the substantial limitspermitted by the lslot sections in the coding areas are thus providedtor. Assuming 'that the card Alll illustrated in FIGURES 5 and 7 iscoded for number `6025, the thousands section corresponding to the '6position is punched out to provide the coding notch '57 therein, the Oposition in the hundreds area is punched out to provide the coding notch57 therein, the `2 position is notched out in the tens area and the 5position is notched :out in the units area.

There are as many of the `code barrier bars `55 as there are codingpunchout sections provided for on the available portions yof the 'lengthof the tab strip M and the barrier bars are aligned in the retrievalunit 16 with the respective punchout sections. Then, by orienting thoseof the 'barrier bars 155 which correspond to the coded slotting of theparticular card lor cards to be sorted from the pack of cards in thereceptacle 12, only the card or cards having the proper code slotsmatching the code set barrier bars can be withdrawn from the pack ofcards Iby the magnetic retrieva-l roll 30, while `all of the remain-:ing cards will be rejected.

n a desirable lmounting of the barrier bars 55, each of -the bars has alongitudinal slot `58 .through which slidably extends a supporting baror rod `:59 secured at its oposite ends t-o the side frame plates 33.Spacer washers 60 maintain a desirable spaced relationship between theadjacent barrier bans. INormally, the barrier bars 55 are maintainedwith the tforward edges defining the slots `58 serving as stops againstthe supporting rod 59 and with the front ends or tips of the barrierbars aligned with substantially the vertical diameter of the retrieval 7roll 30, ythat is, rearwardly adjacent `to the lower retrieval nip ofthe roll.

Biasing means are provided ifor yieldably maintaining the respectivebarrier bars y in the retracted, normal rearward position as shown infull line in EFIGURE 4. Conveniently this is accomplished by means of acomb spring member `6l having depending biasing spring fingers 62individually engaging with respective upwardly projecting tail iin`abutment portions 63 -on the barrier bars each provided with a springabutment cam edge. Support for the comb spring member is afforded by atransverse frame bar member 65 extending between and secured iixedly tothe upper rear portions of the frame plates 33. iFor removability, thecomb spring 6l is attached to the bar `65 as by 'means of screws 67.

Additional support for the code ybarrier bars 55 rearwardly from thesupporting `rod 59 is `afforded by a supporting comb bar 68 forming partof the retrieval unit frame structure and mounted bet-Ween and securedto the side frame plates i33. Each of the barrier bars 55 isaccommodated in a separate upwardly opening slot 69 in the supportingbar 68.

In addition to its supporting function, the comb bar `68 serves 4as .ladetent `member coactive with the respective barrier `bars 55 in`retaining them in their code set position. For this purpose, the flowermargin lof the rear end portion of each of .the barrier bars `55 isformed with `a clearance recess 70 within which the supporting portionyof the bar l68 is normally accommodated. This recess has yits deepestportion at `its forward end and its longitudinal edge provides adownwardly and rearwardly oblique cam surface `71 leading to `a detentnotch 72 opening downwardly 1in the edge tof the 'barrier bar at asuitably spaced distance rearwardly correlated with the length -of thereciprocation and stop clearance slot 53 to enable protra'ction of thebarrier bar ito project the forward end portion into card selectingposition aligned With the card retrieving off-running side of theretrieval roll 30. Since the biasing spring finger 62 associated withthe barrier bar 55 thrusts downwardly as well as rearwardly on the camedge ,64, it will be -appreciated that there Will be a snappinginterengagement of .the comb bar 68 in the detent notch 72 when they arebrought into registration by protractional movement of the barrier barin opposition to the spring bias.

In order to facilitate selective setting oaf the selector barrier bars55, digital manipulating means are provided, herein comprising theprovision of respective manipulating upwardly extending handleprojections 73 on the barrier bars. These handle projections 73 aredisposed in relatively staggered relation in the respective groups ofbarrier bars corresponding to thousands, hundreds, tens and units, asbest visualized in FGURES 3 and 4. For convenience in visuallyascertaining the identity of the various key-like handle projections 73,a horizontal keyboard panel 74 is desirably provided overlying theselector barrier bars 55 and having respective longitudinal clearanceslots 75 therein for the keys or handles. Appropriate indiciaidentifying the groups of handles 73 and the identity of each individualhandle is desirably provided on the keyboard panel '7d substantially asshown.

Support `for the keyboard panel 74 is provided by the carriage frameincluding the side wall panels 33 and the frame bar 65, with an upwardlyprojecting rear portion 77 of the keyboard panel engaging upon the bar65 and secured thereto as by means of the screws 67 and serving toafford a handle by which the carriage of the unit l0 is adapted to bemanipulated.

Means are provided for clearing all of the selector barrier bars 55 fromtheir protracted selecting positions to their normal retractedpositions. For this purpose, `a releasing bail structure is providedincluding a releasing bar 78 (FlG. 4) underlying the rear end portionsof the bars 55 rearwardly from the detent notches '72 of the selectorbarrier bars so that upward movement of the bail bar 7S rocks the rearend portions of the barrier bars upwardly suiiiciently about the axis ofthe supporting rod 59 to clear the set barrier bars from the interlockbar 68 to be snapped into the retracted position by the respectivespring fingers 62. Rockable support tfor the bail bar 78 is provided bya pair of respective rocker arms 79 projecting rearwardly therefrom andsupported at the inner sides of the respective side frame panel 33 onrespective rocker pin shafts titl to the outer end portions of which areattached respective upwardly projecting manipulable release lever arms8l normally resting in inactive position against stop pins 82 suitablymounted on the panels 33 forwardly of the arms. Thus, in order torelease the set selector barrier bars 55, either or both of the bailhandle arms 3l are moved rearwardly until the bars are released `fromthe holding detent and snap rearwardly into their normal position.

In addition to the selector barrier bars 55, a pair of fixed stripperand skew preventing bars 83 are provided (FIGS. 3-6) which coact withthe code set selector barrier bars 55 to reject all but the cards ilhaving code notches 57 corresponding to the designated code setting ofthe barrier bars 55. To this end, the stripper bars 83 are mounted tooverlie the end lugs 15 of the cards in substantially a common planewith the lower nip of the retrieval roll 3i) and the lower edges of the`barrier bars 55. Each of the stripper bars 83 is desirably a thinelongated strip-like member secured in place fixedly to the inside ofthe adjacent frame plate 33 by means of studs S4, similar -to the studs53 which secure the carrier bars 52 thereabove, and preferably in thesame vertical plane. Each of the stripper bars 83 has on its rear end alower rearwardly projecting tip 85 extending a short distance rearwardlybeyond the tips of the code set barrier bars 55, as depicted in dashoutline in FGURE 4 and full outline in FIGURE 6. Thereby, any card nothaving the coded notches 57 for which the selector barrier 'bars 55 havebeen set will be rejected and caused to remain in the pack olf cardsbecause it cannot escape the, in effect, continuous barrier afforded bythe cooperating selector barrier bars 55 and the stripper bars 83extending a suficient distance both fore and aft of the magnetic fiel-dof the retrieval roll 39 to preclude withdrawal of the rejected card orcards. On the other hand, any card that has the prescribed notches forwhich the selecto-r barrier bars 55 have been set will escape thebarrier by virtue of the code notches in the magnetic tab lid matchingthe projected barrier bars 55 and thus clearing the projected barrierbars and enabling the selected card to adhere magnetically to theolf-running side of the retrieval roll 30 until transferred to the pickoff and withdrawal conveyor system. It will be observed that in order tofacilitate clearance of the end lugs l5 `of the selected card past theadjacent ends of the stripper bars 33, such ends are formed on aclearance chamfer 87, suiciently spaced from the perimeter of theretrieval roll 3i? for the purpose.

Since the magnetic retrieval roll 3d operates on only a short centralportion of the magnetic tabs 14 of the cards there may be a tendency asthe roll Iand the card tabs come within the field of magnetic attractionunder certain settings of the selector barrier bars 55 to cant upwardlyat one end. To avoid such canting, hold down disks 88 of substantiallythe same diameter as the retrieval roll 3) are mounted on the respectiveopposite end portions oif the roll shaft 3l to overlie the tab strips 14beyond the respective punch out `areas thereof. Desirably the hold downdisks 83 are disposed in substantially the same plane as the stripperbars 83.

While the le user or clerk in charge .will normally observe that thecards lll are substantially fully inserted within the pack in thereceptacle i2, some of the top magnetic strip clad edges of the cardsmay from time-to-time project undesirably above the operating plane ofthe cooperative barrier bars 55 and stripper bars 83. Therefore leadinor pushdown means are provided at the end portions of the bars remotetfrom the retrieval roll 30. In a simple and efficient arrangement, theselector barrier bars 55 are provided with suitable respective cam edges89 `for this purpose. Similarly, lthe stripper bars 83 are provided withcam edges 90 for this purpose. The cam edges 89 engage and push down anyupwardly misaligned card edge when the retrieval unit 1li and thereceptacle 12 are in such relative motion that the barrier bars 55advance over the card edges. Similarly, the cam edges 90 push down anysuch upwlardly misaligned card edges when the relative movement causesthe stripper bars 83 to advance over the pack of cards.

In the typical, illustrative setting of the selector barrier bars 55 toeifect retrieval of the cards having coding notches 57 corresponding tothe number 6025 the operator has, by means of the key handles 73protracted the corresponding selector barrier bars 55 as shown in :fulloutline in FIGURES 3 and 6 and in dash outline in FIG- URE 4. All thatneed then be done is eifect relative movement of the retrieval unit andthe receptacle 12 in a manner to advance the retrieval unit over themagnetic top edges on the cards 11 in the direction in which the cardsare tilted. Each card that has the selected code punching issuccessively withdrawn from the card pack by the retrieval roll andtheassociated conveyor system and delivered to the rack provided by thecarrier bars 52. After the retrieval pass of the retrieval unit 10 hasbeen completed, the retrieved cards sorted from the receptacle 12 areremoved from the receiving rack and the retrieval unit and thereceptacle 12 returned to starting position. During such return all ofthe cards 11 in the receptacle 12 are retained in their pack positionsby the stripper bars 83 and the barrier bars 55 as the retrieval roll 30runs thereover. The release bail is operated through either or both ofthe handles 81 to clear the selector panel, and any other card retrievalsetting can then be effected. The cards that have been previouslyremoved can be returned haphazardly to the pack of cards in thereceptacle 12.

For retaining the retrieval unit 10 stationary with respect to :thesupporting structure 13 where it is desired to elfect card sorting byactuation of the receptacle 12, as depicted in FIGURE l, releasablelatch means on the retrieval unit and the supporting structure 13 areprovided. Suitably, upright means such as protective side wall panels 91rising from the base panel 21 in flanking adjacent relation to theopposite -sides of the retrieval unit 10 carry respective resilientdetent latch members 92 adjacent the forward end of the assemblyengageable with outwardly projecting respective detent studs 93 on theadjacent side frame panels 33 of the retrieval unit. Through thisarrangement, the retrieval unit 10 is held in stationary relation to thesupporting structure 13 whenever desired. However, when it is preferredto run the retrieval unit 1t) along the receptacle 12, as depicted inFIGURE 2, the resilient latches 92 are readily manually released fromthe detent stud pins 93.

Another advantage of the disclosed retrieval apparatus resides in thatsince the retrieval unit 10 is of a compact and relatively lightweightconstruction and is not permanently attached to either the receptaclelassembly 12 or the supporting structure 13, the retrieval unit canreadily be removed and utilized in sorting cards from any number ofreceptacles 12 selectively. To facilitate removal and relocation of theretrieval unit 10 a suitable carrying handle (not shown) may be providedengageable with appropriate means such as provided by clearanceapertures 9d receptive of projections, n'gers or other connecting deviceon the handle structure.

Gverrunning of the retrieval unit 10 relative to the supportingstructure 13 in either direction is avoided by a stop shoulder 95adjacent the front of the members 91 and a stop shoulder 96 adjacent therear of the members 91 engageable by the pins 93, thus serving, inaddition, as stop pins.

During a retrieval operation of the device, withdrawal of the selectedcard 11 is continuously substantially straight-out, which minimizesfrictional resistance, enables the withdrawal to be effected withminimum effort, and by avoidance of bending stresses and minimizing ofdrag and scuiiing assures long card life. Although the card tab 14during the initial phase of the pull-out clings to the rotary magneticwheel or roll 30 serving as card eX- traction-initiating structure, dueto the geometry of the magnetic wheel diameter, the diameter of thegears 35 and the relevant angles, the card tab moves with the magneticwheel in a cycloidal path which effects substantially straight-outmovement of the card until the conveyor belts 38 and 39 engage the cardtab 14 and continue the straight-out withdrawal of the card as a resultof correlation of movement of the belts with respect to the horizontalmovement of the retrieval unit.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effectedwithout departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the presentinvention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a card sorting apparatus for retrieving cards from a pack of cardswherein one of their edges is exposed and has a magnetic portion andcode notches,

a receptacle for the pack of cards,

a retrieval assembly including:

magnetic retrieval roll means and a rotary mount therefor,

reciprocably mounted and individually reciprocably adjustable cardselecting barrier bars having end portions thereof located in operativealignment with said roll and said bars being mounted to set said endportions selectively in respect to an off-running side Of said roll,

means for selectively setting said barrier bars for retrieving any cardhaving a predetermined code notch identification,

Y stripper means mounted with respect to said Oifrunning side of theroll to coact with the set ybarrier bars to reject all but any cardhaving code notches corresponding to the set barrier bars;

and means for effecting relative movement of said assembly concurrentlywith rotation of said roll in a path of movement wherein the rollsuccessively passes across the exposed edges of the cards in attractingrelation to said magnetic portions so that cards having thepredetermined notching will be withdrawn past said set barrier bars andsaid stripper means.

2. Card sorting apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said magneticroll is substantially' shorter than vthe wi-dth of the cards and ismounted centrally of the cards, said barrier bars are mounted in groupsbeyond each end of the magnetic roll, and said stripper means compriserespective bars mounted beyond the groups of barrier bars and remotefrom the ends of the: magnetic roll but in overlying relation to theupper edges of the cards.

3. In card sorting apparatus for retrieving cards from a pack of cardshaving magnetic portions and code notches on common edges exposed in asubstantially common plane,

supporting means for the pack of cards,

a retrieval assembly including:

a frame structure,

a magnetic roll,

a shaft rotatably supported by the frame structure and rotatablymounting said roll for effecting Withdrawal of the cards from the packby rotation of the roll within attraction range of the magnetic portionson the card edges,

a pinion carried by said shaft, and selectively settable coded cardselecting means correlated with said code notches and operativelyaligned with said roll so as to be set to reject all cards lack ing apredetermined code notch identification; track means on said supportingmeans,

rollers on said frame structure riding said track means to enablerelative movement of said assembly and said supporting means in a pathof movement where* in said roll is caused to pass successively inattracting relation to said magnetic portions of the successive cards inthe pack and said selecting means enables the roll lto withdraw only anycard having said predetermined code notch identification and therebyresponding to the selected setting of said selecting means,

and a rack also carried by said supporting means and meshing with saidpinion to effect rotation thereof and of said shaft and thereby saidroll coincident with said relative movement.

4. In card sorting apparatus for retrieving cards from a pack of cardswherein one of the edges of the cards is exposed and the exposed edgeshave respective magnetic portions and coding means,

means for supporting the cards in generally upright but oblique relationto the horizontal with their exposed edges in a substantially commonhorizontal plane, `a retrieval assembly including:

a rotatable magnetic rollhaving an off-running side for initiatingwi-thdrawal of cards from the pack by attracting said magnetic portions,

selectively settable coded card selecting means correlated with saidcoding means and cooperative with said roll to permit only cards havingpredetermined code responsiveness to be withdrawn by said off-runningside,

pick off conveyor means comprising pick off belts associated with saidoff-running side of the magnetic roll and operative to divert theselected cards from the off-running side and continue withdrawal of suchcards upwardly generally divergently to said oblique inclination of thecards in the pack;

and means for eiecting relative movement of said assembly `and saidsupporting means to enable said selection and withdrawal of the cards.

5. In card sorting apparatus for retrieving cards Ifrom a pack of cardswherein one of their edges is exposed and has magnetic means and codenotches:

supporting means for the pack of cards,

a retrieval assembly including:

a frame structure mounted for relative movement with respect to saidsupporting means for traversing said card edges,

magnetic card withdrawing means movably mounted on said frame structureand operative to attract said magnetic means on the cards and withdrawthe cards successively from the pack in the course of said relativemovement,

barrier code bars adjustably mounted on said frame structure andadjacent to said card edges with one of .their ends adjacent to saidmagnetic withdrawing means,

said bars being correlated with said code notches and being selectivelysettable to position the bars with said ends corresponding to the codenotches of a selected card to be withdrawn from the pack,

said ends of the set bars being so located with respect to said magneticwithdrawing means that the code notches of the selected card affordescape clearance past the bar ends for withdrawal by the magneticwithdrawing means but the edges of all other cards are opposed andblocked against any substantial movement from the pack as the magneticwithdrawing means moves past the card edges during said relativemovement, and

stripper means carried by said frame structure and cooperative with saidbar ends to oppose said other card edges and preclude withdrawal of saidother cards while their edge magnetic means are in the magnetic tield ofsaid magnetic withdrawal means and after said bar ends progress beyondblocking opposition to said other card edges during said relativemovement; means for effecting said relative movement between saidsupporting means and said retrieval assembly to effect successivepassing of said magnetic withdrawing means in magnetic attractingrelation past said magnetic card edge means whereby said selected cardis magnetically attracted through its magnetic edge means toward saidmagnetic withdrawing means, and

means for moving said magnetic withdrawing means during said relativemovement to effect withdrawal of said selected card.

6. Card sorting apparatus as defined in claim 5, in which said cardshave aligned with said edges respective oppositely extending end lugsprojecting beyond the opposite sides of the cards,

said supporting means having longitudinal spaced parallel rails on whichsaid lugs are engaged, and said stripper means comprise respective barstructures overlying said rail -means in spaced opposing clearancerelation to said lugs.

7. In card sorting apparatus for retrieving cards from a pack of cardswherein one of the edges of the cards is exposed and the exposed edgeshave respective magnetic portions and coding means and -the sides of thecards have respective lugs projecting in alignment with said edges,

a selected card retrieval carriage unit constructed and arranged foroperative relative longitudinal cardselecting and retrieval movemen-t intraversing relation across said card edges,

a magnetic roll mounted on said carriage and having an ott-running sidefor initiating withdrawal of cards from the pack by attracting saidmagnetic means,

selectively settable code-identied card selecting means mounted on saidcarriage in cooperative relation to said roll and operable to permitonly cards having predetermined code responsiveness to be withdrawn bysaid oit-running side during said retrieval movement,

piekoff conveyor means comprising a pickotf belt operatively related tosaid ott-running side of the roll and running in the same directiongenerally tangentially from said off-running side to engage the edge ofand divert -a preselected card from the olf-running side in a path awayfrom the roll,

respective friction belts engageable with said lugs of :the selectedcard and running parallel to said pickoff belt and in the samedirection, and means for driving said roll and said belts in coordinatedrelation.

8. Apparatus as dened in claim 7, in which said carriage has thereoncard receiving rack means aligned with said belts at a position remotefrom said roll and on which said lugs are engaged after discharge fromsaid belts.

9. In card sorting apparatus for retrieving selected cards from a packof cards wherein one of the edges of the cards is exposed and has amagnetic portion and code notches,

a carriage constructed and arranged for relative longitudinal movementin traversing relation along said card edges,

card withdrawing means mounted on said carriage and including magneticmeans operative during said movement to attract said magnetic portionsof the cards and withdraw the cards from the pack successively in thecourse of said movement,

individually reciprocably adjustably settable barrier bars mounted onsaid carriage and movable relatively longitudinally thereon withportions of the bars located in operative alignment with said cardWithdrawal means to oppose the card edges,

spring biasing means normally acting on said barrier bars to move themlongitudinally into clearance relation relative `t0 said withdrawalmeans so that card edges can escape thereby for withdrawal, means forselectively setting said bars according to predetermined codedetermination in longitudinal opposition to said biasing means intoblocking relation to withdrawal of all cards except any card that hasmatching code notches,

stripper means mounted on said carriage and cooperative with the setbars to preclude Withdrawal of any other than the card having matchingcode notches While said magnetic portions are in the magnetic ield ofthe Withdrawal means and after said set bars progress beyond the edgesOf the other cards during said relative movement,

and means for actuating said Withdrawal means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 2/1917 Tucker etal. 129-16 6/1939 Wilson 129-16.1 X 10/1941 Grin 129-16.1 1/1942 Jaynel29-16.1 3/1950 Bergsten et al 129-16.1 12/1951 Gottschalk 129-16.18/1953 BroXten 129-161 7/ 1956 Drillick. 1/ 1957 Orr. 9/ 1961 McCammon40-79 9/ 1962 Novak.

FOREIGN PATENTS 8/ 1946 France. 10/1960 France.

JEROME SCHNALL, Primary Examiner.

9. IN CARD SORTING APPARATUS FOR RETRIEVING SELECTED CARDS FROM A PACKOF CARDS WHEREIN ONE OF THE EDGES OF THE CARDS IS EXPOSED AND HAS AMAGNETIC PORTION AND CODE NOTCHES, A CARRIAGE CONSTRUCTED AND ARRANGEDFOR RELATIVE LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT IN TRAVERSING RELATION ALONG SAIDCARD EDGES, CARD WITHDRAWING MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID CARRIAGE ANDINCLUDING MAGNETIC MEANS OPERATIVE DURING SAID MOVEMENT TO ATTRACT SAIDMAGNETIC PORTIONS OF THE CARDS AND WITHDRAW THE CARDS FROM THE PACKSUCCESSIVELY IN THE COURSE OF SAID MOVEMENT, INDIVIDUALLY RECIPROCABLYADJUSTABLY SETTABLE BARRIER BARS MOUNTED ON SAID CARRIAGE AND MOVABLERELATIVELY LONGITUDINALLY THEREON WITH PORTIONS OF THE BARS LOCATED INOPERATIVE ALIGNMENT WITH SAID CARD WITHDRAWAL MEANS TO OPPOSE THE CARDEDGES, SPRING BIASING MEANS NORMALLY ACTING ON SAID BARRIER BARS TO MOVETHEM LONGITUDINALLY INTO CLEARANCE RE-